Looking Back at Pages from the Past

The following stories are summarized from past issues of the Caribou County Sun over the last fifty plus years.  The Enterprise thanks Mark Steele for permission to use the contents, and the Grace Public Library for access to the archives.

2020

U.S. Senators Jim Rausch and Mike Crapo joined Deb Fischer of Nebraska and 16 of their colleagues in writing a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting that the department investigate potential anticompetitive activities in the highly concentrated beef packing sector.  “Recent pricing discrepancies between fed cattle and boxed beef are pushing cattle producers and feeders to the brink.  Cattlemen across America seriously question the ability for their children to take over what are frequently multi-generational family-owned operations that serve as the engines for their communities and our country’s food supply,” the letter said.

Over 60 people attended the special meeting of the Soda Springs City Council Wednesday to hear the city officials discuss and revise a four-page proposed ordinance addressing junk, weeds, lawns, parking of RVs and trailers, and setting penalties and clean-up costs if the city has to step in.  While the city took no comments from the public at the work session, they said a public hearing is set for June 3 for comments on the proposed ordinance.  The two hour meeting was, at times, a little contentious among the council members and the. Mayor, but the group worked towards addressing many concerns they had to help make the ordinance clearer, interject common sense, and temper the penalties.  Mayor Jim Smith said he had asked City Attorney Clyde Nelson for a more organized ordinance addressing junk in yards, parking in front of homes, weeds, and unkempt lawns.  The previous junk ordinance never addressed how to enforce it.  “This gives us standards so property owners know what they have to do,” Nelson said about being more specific in the new ordinance.  One change was allowing equipment at a commercial or industrial location to be parked at the business, but not on the curb line, as well as keep products or materials used in the operations at those commercial sites in the city.  A length of eight inches tall—the same as weeds—was determined to be the point at which grass will become and ordinance violation.  Councilman Lau argued for common language and simplicity in the ordinance.  Council President Mitch Hart came out strongly against the city micromanaging the issues and hoped that the changes would remain reasonable.

Coleen Bensen, Chesterfield Foundation secretary, accepted a donation check from the Butterfield family to help with the restoration of the Muir-Butterfield House on the historic Chesterfield town site on Memorial Day.  Standing at the porch with Coleen were Jennie, Dorothy, Melvin, and Rhoda Butterfield, who are part of the oldest generation of Butterfields living at this time.  A good group of Butterfields gathered to visit and tour the home.  New windows and doors are currently being put in to protect it from the weather.  Once this project is finished, work will commence on the inside as funds become available.  

Recently, the Caribou Historical Society received a donation from the Idaho Community Foundation through the Caribou Development Foundation.  Through a cooperative effort the Caribou Development Foundation was able to present a $3,336 check to a local non profit group and selected the Caribou Historical Society to help with their renovation of the old ZCMI/Stoor’s Grocery building.  The donation was greatly appreciated and went a long way in paying for the new flooring in the main store part of the building.  “We are nearing a point where we can show off our progress again, so if conditions allow we will be having another open house.  If you visited us last year on the 4th of July you will be amazed at how far we have come in the last year,” said Bill Horsely of the Caribou Historical Society.

Soda Springs School District publicly thanked Janet Mumford for her years of serving the local youth.  Mrs. Mumford has been playing the piano since she was 4 years old, and has contributed to many programs in the district.  She graduated from BYU-Provo with a bachelors degree in music.  “It has been such a joy for me these last few years to be the accompanist for the middle school choirs and Soda Pops choir at the high school.  It has been so fun to work with several music teachers and dozens of great students,” Mrs. Mumford said.  “I will miss Mrs. Seamons and Debi Hansen very much.  All the teachers and staff in both schools are great people and I appreciate all of you and your kindness to me.”

The Caribou County Rodeo Queen Committee announced the results of the 2020 Caribou County Fair Rodeo Queen and Ambassador contest.  Lydia Hamilton, daughter of Shane and Rachel Hamilton was crowned Senior Queen.  The Princess royalty included: Junior Queen Aspen Skinner, daughter of Alan and Kristen Skinner; 1st Attendant McKinley Yamauchi, daughter of Rawlee and Hailey Yamauchi; 2nd Attendant Annalyse Harris, daughter of Todd and Rachel Hale.  The committee also announced the first Caribou County Fair Ambassador, Carson Reeves, son of Shelley and Jody Reeves.  The Speech Presentations were judged in part by Caribou County’s first Rodeo Queen, Karen Torgesen Crane, who served in 1955.  Darlene Gunnell served as queen in 1983 in Caribou County, as well as several other Southeast Idaho rodeos.

The Caribou County Commissioners heard a presentation from Zions Bank about refinancing the county jail.  The original loan for construction was from 2004, but the COVID 19 outbreak has created an environment of lower interest rates, which might be worth pursuing by way of decreasing the expense over the life of the loan.  The loan currently sits at $3.225 million with maturity in 2033.  The average interest rate is 5 percent and variable.  ZCMI can offer a rate of around 2.5 percent, with a $52,000
refinancing cost.

Landfill Supervisor Jayson Lower said that had a record April, with 41 more tons than last April.  Over the year as a whole, the difference was 500 more tons.  Lower said spring cleanup was a huge success and he was impressed with the people of Caribou County.  He stated that he “likes that everyone is doing their part to help take care of the county.”

2015

North Gem High students met at the Bancroft Memorial Park following lunch to enjoy an afternoon of the “Cowboys in Action” service to the community.  They met at the pavilion for their instructions.  A quick flash of lightning and a big clap of thunder, quickly followed by a rain/hail storm, immediately started the afternoon off, but the students pressed forward anyway.  The outgoing and incoming student body officers dig a hole for the freshmen class to plant a tree by the playground in remembrance of their former classmate, Peyton Rindlisbaker.  They has earned the funds for this tree with a Color Run on May 9.  Following the planting of the tree, the group was split into smaller groups, and they were found in the park, Teuscher Square, and at City Hall weeding and planting flowers for the community to enjoy.

Bring your horse to the Caribou County Fairgrounds on June 20 to join in the fun competition for the first of three Play Days presented this summer by Ledge Creek Horse Park.  Play Day games will consist of Rode and Lead, Tortoise Race, Egg and Spoon, Potato Race, Rope Race, Musical Chairs, Barrel Race, and Pole Bending!  Play Day games are geared to skill level rather than age.  Kids and adults can compete in either of two levels—novice allows riders to walk or trot the fames and an open level allows riders to trot and canter through the games.  Girl Scout Troop 598 will offer concessions.

2010

Thatcher LDS Ward recently honored five of their young men who received their Webelos rank and their Arrow of Light.  Barbara Gibson from Grace awarded their arrows to them with a special ceremony.  Those who received this honor were Mark McGregor, Landon Wheeler, Brandon Smith, Lincoln Skinner and Bryce Mathews.  They would like to thank their past and current leaders for all their help and encouragement.

The PTO sponsored Thirkill Elementary Fun Run was another great success this year.  On Thursday, the award assembly was held.  The children raised almost $13,000.  They want to thank all who donated money to the children and to all the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and fans who came to cheer the children on.  Over 100 prizes were given out in a drawing to any child who brought back their money packet.  The grand prize winners were 1st place John Michael Kator, 2nd place Cedar Hopkins, and 3rd place Erik Vettegren.  

Story hour Kids at the Grace Library had their second annual Pajama Party, which is hosted by the Grace District Library by Grandma Dina (Dina Smith) each spring.  The kids were invited to wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal to listen with them as they enjoyed stories, made small pillows, and snacked on filled graham cracker cookies.  They are all ready to register for the Summer Reading Program at the library which runs through the month of June.

2000

Students at SSHS in Dave Henesh’s class prepared a gravel pad and compacted it prior to pouring cement for the base of bleachers at the football and track field.  Students in the welding and construction classes were doing the work with cement pour expected this week.  The instructor said the students, as well as those donating equipment and materials—Mullen Crane, Henesh Construction and Jack B. Parson—made the project happen that benefits the school district and patrons, as well as gives the students hands-on construction.

Part of a timber failure resulted in subsequent damage of about 80 feet of the wooden flume that conveys water out of the UP&L Grace Plant, where the water is used to generate electricity and then diverted back into the river.  The incident took place on the night of May 7.  About 100 feet of the flume will be repaired, along with the dirt work necessary to fill the washout that angled down into Bear River.  Circle C Construction is doing the repairs.

The weather was very cooperative this past week at the Soda Springs Public Library, when story time kids from 2 years to 12 years old planted flowers provided by the city, with the help of Jon Harris, City Parks and Recreation director, and Heidi Lish, city worker.  Harris and Lish showed over 50 kids how to dig holes and set the colorful flowers.  Children’s Librarian Valerie Ahmann read books and served gummy worms and sunflower seeds for snacks, and provided real “bait worms” for the kids to liberate into the planted flower beds.

1970

Hospital Corpsman Second Class Keith L. Isle is presently serving at the Station Hospital at U.S. Naval Support Activity, Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam.  The 23-year-old Navyman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Myron A. Isle of Soda Springs, is married to the former Miss Kathy Rausch of Soda Springs.  Isle works as a clinical laboratory technician at the hospital.  He was graduated from Soda Springs High School in 1965 and before entering on July 24, 1966, he attended Utah State University.  He reported to NSA Da Nanag for duty in August 1969. 

Construction of a covered foot bridge at Hooper Spring was completed recently by City Management Crew members Darrell (Buck) Lallatin, Bill Meccico and Neal Hemmert.  The bridge, designed by Supt. Jack Miller, replaces the old foot bridge near the pavilion.  The Hooper Spring area has been improved extensively this spring with repainting of tables and other fixtures, and general clean of the picnic grounds for enjoyment by
the public.